SHARE prices closed higher yesterday but well off midday highs in volatile trading that saw a rebound n the technology sector.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 18.11 to finish at 5,376.87, the 5P 500 was up 5.72 at 634.08.

The New York Stock Exchange composite rose 3.31 to 340.10 and the NASDAQ composite gained 33.18 to finish at 1,086.65.

Volume was a very heavy 514 million shares, with 1,762 higher, 733 lower and 723 unchanged.

Analysts said investors buying on recent weakness helped boost the stock market at the opening.

But while blue chip stocks soon fell back from their highs in nervous trade, the technology sector continued to advance, with bargain hunting boosting the technology heavy NASDAQ composite about 3 per cent after recent steep declines.

Dealers said higher than expected results from Intel spurred buying across the high technology sector.